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All the United States New Mexico Hatch Sparky's
Gastro Obscura

Sparky's

A wealth of pop culture statuary and green chile dishes give this roadside restaurant clout.

Hatch, New Mexico

Added By
Cindy Cesare
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  dnelson16
  dnelson16
  aluminumhustle
  quintessentiallyerin
  lbandujo
Big Ice Cream man at Sparky’s   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
Burger characters   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
  Mitch Lang / Atlas Obscura User
  Mitch Lang / Atlas Obscura User
Green Chile photo booth   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
  docbku / Atlas Obscura User
  Mitch Lang / Atlas Obscura User
Sparky’s   thomasmom710 / Atlas Obscura User
  kymolsen / Atlas Obscura User
American as a green chile in Hatch, NM   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
  kymolsen / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Hatch, New Mexico—the self-proclaimed "Chile Capital of the World"—is a town off Highway 25, between Albuquerque and Las Cruces, New Mexico. Here, the Nunn family operates Sparky's, a restaurant surrounded by their collection of retro roadside statuary.

A robot alien, Sparky's namesake mascot, welcomes customers from a lineup of noteworthy characters. A 30-foot-tall Uncle Sam heralds hungry road trippers from afar. The A&W burger family occupies rooftop real estate, and Colonel Sanders, Ronald McDonald, Yogi Bear, and Robin Hood all stand across the street. The inside is no different. Sparky's is practically bursting with Americana, from signage to collectibles. 

Proprietors Teako and Josie Nunn opened up shop in 2008. They specialize in "Burgers, Barbecue, & Espresso," but most people line up for their award-winning green chile cheeseburger, which is often touted as one of the best renditions in the state. Teako oversees the meat department, while Josie handles the restaurant design and barista service (using local coffee roasted in the nearby city of Las Cruces). Hatch's namesake crop, the Hatch chile, appears on burgers, in burritos, and piled up at the condiment bar, but it also graces Sparky's dessert and drink menus. Spice fanatics love the kick it adds to thick milkshakes and tangy, iced lemonades.  

The Nunn's started their acquisition of gargantuan pop culture figures from bygone decades in 2006. Teako purchased a Muffler Man bought to draw attention to their RV dealership. When the family opened Sparky’s two years later, the property became a museum for their historic stockpile.

Related Tags

Americana Roadside Attractions Spicy Peppers Pop Culture Statues Signs Burger Coffee Chili Peppers

Know Before You Go

Sparky's is just off of Highway 25, en route to Las Cruces. You really can't miss it. It's only open Thursday through Sunday.

Community Contributors

Added By

ccesare

Edited By

brianjmaxwell, rachelrummel, Mitch Lang, kymolsen...

  • brianjmaxwell
  • rachelrummel
  • Mitch Lang
  • kymolsen
  • docbku
  • thomasmom710

Published

March 21, 2019

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Sources
  • http://sparkysburgers.com/
  • https://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/22261?offset=5
  • https://www.nmgastronome.com/?p=7837
  • https://www.eater.com/2017/6/15/15803768/restaurant-roadside-attractions-big-boy-paul-bunyan
Sparky's
115 Franklin St
Hatch, New Mexico, 87937
United States
32.665567, -107.153645
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Lake Valley Historic Townsite

Hillsboro, New Mexico

miles away

Spaceport America

Truth or Consequences, New Mexico

miles away

Prehistoric Trackways National Monument

Las Cruces, New Mexico

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of New Mexico

New Mexico

United States

Places 179
Stories 21

Nearby Places

Lake Valley Historic Townsite

Hillsboro, New Mexico

miles away

Spaceport America

Truth or Consequences, New Mexico

miles away

Prehistoric Trackways National Monument

Las Cruces, New Mexico

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of New Mexico

New Mexico

United States

Places 179
Stories 21

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